Chapter 246: Book 19(1)
Chapter 246: Book 19(1)
The main focus of Volume 19 is the battle between the heroine Mary and the Sin of Lust, Lilith, but the conflict between the Elves and Dark Elves also demands close attention.
From the beginning, the two races distrusted each other, with frequent skirmishes breaking out between them.
The Dark Elves mocked the Elves, calling them fools who couldn't even protect their own homeland, while the Elves retaliated with vitriol, labeling the Dark Elves as heretics who had cut off their own ears.
This phenomenon is highly likely to occur in reality if the two races were ever to attempt reconciliation.
As mentioned before, this stems from the 'cultural' divide that emerged after the Dark Elves split from Albenheim.
For the Elves, culture is deeply intertwined with their faith. For instance, they believe their long ears are essential for communicating with the gods and must be cherished more than life itself.
The fact that cutting off one's ears is considered one of the harsliest punishments in Albenheim illustrates just how precious they are.
However, the Dark Elves were exiled in the past due to their blind fanaticism toward the gods. Witnessing that, they developed a deep-seated loathing for their ears and established a custom of cutting them off themselves.
Consequently, neither side can easily trust the other. Even though the Elves have fled to seek refuge after Albenheim was occupied, it is nothing more than an uncomfortable cohabitation.
The Elves, in particular, take great pride in being the chosen race of the gods, so there's no telling when another conflict might erupt.
The early story of Volume 19 depicts the chaos that would ensue if the Elves and Dark Elves were to merge for any reason.
[This is what happens when different cultures are forced to harmonize without any preparation.]
[Should Elves and Dark Elves be considered different races? Or should they be treated as one?]
[Just as humans have numerous ethnicities and cultures, these people are undeniably Elves by race.]
The volume garnered significant attention because it vividly illustrated the tragedies that cultural differences can cause.
In reality, Arwen was also working hard to win over the Dark Elves, which was the reason she had sponsored Rain, even though that effort ultimately fell through.
And just like Arwen, who strives to reconcile the two races, Mary in the Xenon Biography is also putting in every possible effort.
[If not for the sacrifice of the two heroes, the situation would have been much worse.]
[Was their sacrifice truly meaningless?]
As the reviews suggest, if not for the sacrifice of the Elven heroes who oxidized along with the World Tree through fusion, the situation would have spiraled into the worst-case scenario.
In effect, their sacrifice served as foreshadowing that the Elves and Dark Elves would one day become one, though no one knows when that will be.
Currently, the old generation of Elves and the new generation of Dark Elves are at each other's throats; forget harmony, they have to worry about a civil war.
The only silver lining is that through this series of events, the Elves are gradually moving away from the totalitarianism they so stubbornly clung to.
[Only an Elf could manifest magic through punches.]
[It may seem simple and crude, but it will prove incredibly efficient in combat.]
[A new combat style that shatters the common sense that magic requires incantations.]
The combat method Mary displayed during her battle with Lilith also drew a lot of interest.
Mages in this world also harbored a certain prejudice: the belief that magic can only be cast by muttering incantations. Thus, to human eyes, Mary's fighting style was not just innovative but bordered on eccentric.
However, this was a prejudice held only by humans. The Elves, who could use magic as naturally as breathing, had a slightly different perspective.
[A method that can squeeze out extreme efficiency.]
[Is she treating her own body as a form of calculation?]
[It is highly worth researching, though it could be dangerous.]
They were actually trying to imitate it, claiming it had high research value.
Originally, magic is an ability manifested through a type of calculation. However, Mary integrated those calculations into 'movements,' a theory that was bound to make the Elves' eyes spin.
To fire a Fireball, the most basic of basic spells, even an Elf or a Demon needs to perform calculations.
But by applying that formula to a specific movement—much like the fire-user in a certain pirate manga—she could launch a fire punch, so they couldn't help but be interested.
If this theory were developed further, it would be possible to call down lightning from a clear sky or summon a blizzard with just a snap of the fingers.
[What is the name of this theory?]
[Yggdrasil of Albenheim. We shall designate the name of the theory as 'Memorize.' If Xenon provides a definitive name, we will change it to that.]
[Since it is a theory introduced by Xenon, it will surely be feasible.]
No. I didn't think that far ahead. What are these people trying to do now?
Now, people have started not just following but trying to realize the combat methods featured in the Xenon Biography.
The scary part is that these people aren't humans, but Elves. The Elves are a race that boasts a level of magical depth a step above even the Demons.
In other words, if they set their minds to digging into it, the story changes.
In the book, it was just a fighting style Mary created because she was 'lazy,' but they are determined to use it in reality.
'...Well, they are Elves.'
This is a fantasy world, after all. There are plenty of things that can't be understood with the common sense of my previous life, so I should just let it go.
[Lilith was ultimately just a Demon who couldn't forget her beloved. Her end was also tragic, befitting a Demon.]
[Living in order not to forget. The truth about Lilith is finally revealed.]
[If Jin had lost Lily, he would have been no different from Lilith.]
[In reality, such cases are countless. Demons who become devils are unfortunate souls created by their environment.]
The fight between Mary and Lilith was one thing, but Lilith's end, in particular, left a deep impression on the readers.
She was already drawing attention due to the setting of a Demon becoming a devil, but once her past was vaguely revealed, people began to look at her with pity.
It's the classic "this guy was actually a pitiful person" cliché often found in my previous life, and Lilith is a prime example that illustrates the tragedy of the Demons.
The prevailing sentiment was that if Jin were to lose Lily, he would become no different from Lilith. Furthermore, since such things often happen in reality, sympathy for the Demons has also increased.
These evaluations were exactly as I had expected, so I was very satisfied. Though the part about them imitating Mary's fighting style was a bit absurd.
[Pride, Lucifer's appearance is brief but simultaneously very intense. What will be the path of one who acts in a manner befitting pride?]
[The end is never good for one who treats his comrades as mere pawns.]
[What kind of end will he meet?]
The appearance of Pride, Lucifer, who murdered Lilith, also left a strong impact. He was a member of the Seven Deadly Sins who killed his own comrade, and on top of that, he was an Elf, so interest was bound to be high.
Moreover, since he ruthlessly killed Lilith just as her backstory was being revealed and her popularity was about to soar, he is being cursed out by the bucketload.
Comments ranged from wishing him a gruesome end to hoping he'd soon be begging for his life.
He's generating a massive number of anti-fans right from the start. Even Albenheim, perhaps fearing the backlash, is firmly drawing a line.
They issued a statement—not just a review—saying that no matter how arrogant they might be, they aren't 'trash' like that.
[Mary, who had one ear cut off after the fierce battle with Lilith. However, that will remain as a symbol.]
[Mary's path, carrying the message of 'us' rather than 'you and I.' It is very similar to the current Albenheim, which suffered through the Half-blood Incident.]
[Will the fusion of Elves and Dark Elves be possible in reality as well?]
In this way, Volume 19 could be considered a success, except for the part where they're trying to realize Mary's combat style.
What about "Why Is This Real?" I've just given up on that. Even if I were to take a dump on the page, they'd probably clap and go wild, so I might as well give up.
Right now, there's something more important than "Why Is This Real?".
[Helium. A temple of Mora will be built in the Maishal Territory, his birthplace.]
"...?"
I was leisurely eating bread in the dormitory when I was struck by this bolt from the blue. What on earth is this about?
I narrowly avoided choking and looked at the newspaper again.
No matter how many times I looked, the only thing I saw was the unbelievable news that Helium was going to build a temple in the Maishal Territory.
"No. Why?"
I was given a typewriter, and I said I'd write a side story in return, so why are they going this far? Do Demons understand 'give and take' in a different way?
If it were a simple facility like a teleportation station, I could understand. But it's not a normal facility; it's a temple.
Unlike in my previous life, a temple isn't something that can be built just by people gathering together and hammering away.
It is the only structure that possesses actual divinity and allows for direct communication with a god. To begin with, the conditions for building a temple are incredibly strict.
First, they have to consider whether the area is heavily populated. You could call it cost-effectiveness.
If the area had strong divine power from the start, it would be a different story, but the Maishal Territory has only just begun to accelerate its development.
It means that even if it's close to the capital, it's not suitable for a temple, and even if it's meant as a reward, the scale is just too large.
I heard that for the Church of Luminous to build a temple, someone at least at the rank of Cardinal must personally supervise it. So it must be the same for Mora.
'Does Cecile-nuna know about this too?'
As soon as I realized the situation was heading in an unintended direction, I scratched my head in embarrassment.
Most humans worship Luminous, but not everyone does. However, finding a temple of Mora in human society is extremely difficult.
Above all, the Maishal Territory is publicly known as the birthplace of Xenon. If a temple of Mora is built, there will naturally be a backlash from the Luminous and Hirt sides...
[According to current reports, a temple of Luminous is being constructed in the Maishal Territory under the supervision and management of Cardinal Kate...]
[If this continues, temples for both Luminous and Mora will be built simultaneously in the Maishal Territory. All that remains is a temple for Hirt.]
[Hirt is the Goddess of Nature and Life, and unlike the twin gods, she does not require a separate temple. This is because nature itself is Hirt.]
[If a 'ritual' for the Goddess Hirt is held in the Maishal Territory, the legendary 'Pantheon' will be established there.]
...There's no need for that! No wonder Kate hasn't visited the Academy; she went to our territory instead.
It seems there was no news because she was busy building a temple in the territory. My parents probably didn't send a letter because they didn't want to burden me.
Furthermore, since Lily was born recently, they must be focusing more on her and didn't have the mental capacity to worry about it.
"Hmm. Now it makes sense."
I nodded with a look of resignation. Actually, whether it makes sense or not, I have no idea what's going on. I should just give up on trying to understand.
As I said before, it seems I've reached the point where they'd go wild even if I took a dump. Building a temple before even asking for my opinion—what kind of behavior is this?
But if I think about it calmly, our territory is becoming the safest place in the world under the protection of the gods.
Demon worshippers are already having a hard time with just one temple, but now there's Mora and Hirt as well.
Ah, for the record, since Hirt is the Goddess of Nature and Life, there's no need to build a separate temple; you just need to perform rituals. Hirt was the god most closely associated with sorcery, like rain rituals.
Instead of a temple, you just need to set up an altar or something like a 'totem.' However, a shaman is absolutely necessary because it must be imbued with divine power.
As for inviting a shaman... they'll figure it out. I don't know anymore.
"Phew..."
I let out a sigh filled with many meanings and flopped onto the bed. Now I don't even know what I should do.
The newspaper reported that my work speed had improved thanks to the gift from the Demons, but surprisingly, there wasn't much word from the Elves.
That makes it even scarier. I wonder what they're plotting that they're staying so silent. A similar example is the Animus.
The reason the Animus were quiet for a while was due to political reasons. Wouldn't Albenheim be the same?
'I wonder what kind of gift the Elves are planning...?'
Truly, and I'm not just saying this, I'm so looking forward to it that I don't think I'll be able to sleep.
Meanwhile, around the same time, in the audience chamber of Albenheim.
The audience chamber was a place where the king met with subjects or exchanged opinions, but since Arwen took power, its meaning had expanded.
It meant that even if someone wasn't a subject, as long as it was an important matter, ordinary citizens were welcome to visit. In other words, it allowed her to hear the voices of the people more closely.
That was the situation now. In front of the throne where Arwen sat, a large number of Elves were politely kneeling and showing their respect.
"...So, we must also present a gift?"
"That is our opinion. There is a growing consensus that we cannot lose to the likes of the Demons and that we should deliver the best gift, one that is incomparable."
"Hmm. I agree with that as well. So, what kind of gift do the people wish to give?"
Arwen listened intently to the representative group that had entered the audience chamber to make their request. In fact, she had been feeling quite slighted ever since she heard the news.
The news that the gift from the Demons had significantly improved the work speed was enough to scratch the pride of the Elves, the masters of magic.
It was more than enough to make the area under the eyes of Arwen, who had recently argued with Cecile, twitch.
So she was just about to consider what gift to give when the people stepped forward on their own, even without her orders.
"Since the Demons have improved Xenon's work speed, we believe a gift befitting that is appropriate."
"That is only natural."
"Therefore, I 'dare' to say this. It is something only you, the Queen, our sole link to Xenon, can do."
What on earth could it be that he emphasized the word 'dare'? Curiosity and anticipation flickered in Arwen's silver-gray eyes.
Then, the Elf representing the masses straightened his neck, looked Arwen directly in the eye, and spoke boldly.
"Our Queen and the symbol of Albenheim. We shall gift Queen Arwen herself to Xenon."
"...What?"
Did she hear that right? As soon as Arwen heard his words, she blinked her silver-gray eyes a couple of times and asked back.
For a moment, she wasn't sure if that was a sensible statement or nonsense, but the determination in the eyes of the Elf who said it was firm.
That made it even more confusing. Without looking far, there was the Dew of the World Tree, the raw material for Elixir, so why gift herself?
Common sense failed her, and Arwen couldn't say a word. In the meantime, the representative continued in a resolute voice.
"Your Majesty is the very being who can be called 'us.' Gifting Your Majesty is no different from gifting all of us Elves. It is a gift incomparable to that of the Demons, a truly fitting gift for the benefactor who saved the World Tree."
"..."
For a moment, she barely suppressed the urge to ask, "What about my opinion?" She was flustered at first, but things were gradually turning in her favor.
Yes. This couldn't be helped. What king could refuse when the people wanted it so much? Isaac might be bewildered, but he would accept it, at least on the surface.
Furthermore, through that opinion, she learned what the people currently thought of her.
That Albenheim would never abandon her. The stories related to Elves in the Xenon Biography and the desperate cries Piren had made created a powerful synergy.
Of course, she would never abandon Albenheim either. She was someone who held power for the sake of an ideal rather than out of greed for power.
Arwen looked at each of their faces, gave a small cough, and replied in a way that seemed like she was reluctantly agreeing.
"...There is logic in that. I shall consider it."
Her subsequent statement was:
"This is not for me, but for our Elves."
It was a sentiment deeply steeped in Elven Communism.